resource

Learning Resources - Time Tracker
$38.95
After reading many of the negative reviews on the Learning Resource Time Tracker, I was hesitant to buy it thinking it would break right out of the box. Not true at all. In fact, while it is not the most quality product I've ever purchased for my 2 1/2 year old son, it is definitely not the worst. It is what it is...and it does what it does...and it does both very well.

I first saw the product on Nanny 911 and I did think about it again until I started having difficulty keeping my son in his time out spot without having to sit right next to him to keep him there. I combined the Time Tracker with the Take Out Time Out mat (overpriced, but cute) and now I hardly have any problems with him finishing his time outs. He thinks time outs are interesting now and he cannot wait to finish and hear the "Time's Up!" announcement so he can play again, while knowing that we are happy with him for doing his duty.

While the Time Tracker may not be the easiest thing to program, as others have said, once you do it once it's pretty easy. I have gotten so used to it that I can change the timer from time out, to nap time, to overnight sleep time in less than a minute. I set it to all green on "manual setting" and only make it turn yellow for the last 50 seconds, and red the last 10 seconds. Seriously, those reviewers who say it's difficult are simply techno-phobic or lazy. It's not hard and all...and my son loves knowing that there is a set time on all of his duties. Hearing "Time's Up!" is one of his favorite things now.

Finally, again on quality, this is not a toy. Do not let your kids play with it or it will cease to work. Let them see it, touch it, but only once. Tell them it is not a toy and keep it out of reach. It will break if dropped, so my solution is to not drop it. Problem solved.

Get this product. It's pretty darn cool...

Osprey Resource Astro Courier Bag (Glacier Blue)
$89.00
I got this bag last Christmas as a gift and have used it for one semester and for work this past summer, using it again this semester. I can officially say now that I love this bag! I commute by bike to school and work and once I get this bag situated on my back it doesn't budge (love the waist strap to stabilize the bag). For school I can comfortably stuff my laptop (which is not super lightweight) and two binders or a textbook and a binder plus my water bottle and lunch/snacks. The bag has room for more than that but if I put much more weight in it its not as comfortable on my bike.
This bag makes it easy to stay organized: outside sleeve on the back big enough for quick access to a file folder, outside zippered pocket on the flap perfect for keys, wallet and headlamp, two outside water bottle holders, inside under the flap there is a great zippered pocket with slots to organize pens/pencils and highlighters, behind that is a larger zippered pocket which I find works well to hold larger items like snacks and power cables, in the main compartment you can stuff two or three notebooks/binders or textbooks, there is also an inside mesh pocket to keep smaller notebooks or files, the padded laptop sleeve is great at keeping my laptop protected and it also has a small divider pocket that holds files.
Another great feature is the back outside zipper that allows you access to the main compartment of the bag without having to unhook the outside front flap. This makes it easy to pull your laptop out for airline security. The bag also does a good job of keeping everything inside dry too. I am not sure if its actually 100% waterproof but I have walked/biked in the rain with it and everything inside stayed dry. This bag has held up great too, I have used it since last Christmas and it still looks brand new.
My only small complaint with this bag is the position of the cellphone pocket on the shoulder strap. I carry the bag on my right shoulder which puts the cellphone pocket under my right arm towards on my back. This makes it tricky to access my cell easily since I have to bend my arm at an odd, uncomfortable angle to get my phone out of the pocket. Its not in the way or uncomfortable at all just hard to get the phone out of the pocket. I tried moving the pocket to the other side of the bag but then it sits under the adjustable shoulder strap and doesn't sit flat. I would be better if it were designed to be movable anywhere on the shoulder strap so that I could move it to have easier access. It has to be attached to the loops at the base of the strap near the body of the bag. The pocket itself is a nice padded design just wish it was could be placed differently.
Other than this small inconvenience this is a great, sturdy commuter bag that comfortably allows you to carry a ton of stuff in a well organized way. Did I mention I love this bag!

Vegetarian Journal
$20.00
Forget about Vegetarian Times. Vegetarian Journal is a great magazine with probably the most comprehensive nutritional information available for vegetarians and vegans. They also delve into such issues as which "mainstream" restaurants serve vegan friendly and vegetarian friendly entrees and why gelatin is not vegetarian. The focus is mainly on food and nutrition and not so much on animal rights, but it doesn't matter. Each issue is chock full of insight and information. Highly recommended reading.

Learning Resources Giant Soft Cubes Dot, Numeral and Operations Sets
$24.99
Giant sized way to roll some fun into math activities and games. Includes: Dot Cubes (LER 0411), Numeral Cubes (LER 0412) and Operations Dice (LER 2096). Three sets of two dice. Measure 5" x 5".